I have watched some instructionals, read some threads, and purchased some Brownell S&W revolver screwdrivers, and I thought I was ready to remove my grips. Then I noticed the screw on the side of the grips - neither flat nor phillips head. It looks like it will need an allen wrench? I'm not sure, what is the tool for the job, and in what size?

This isn't a photo of my gun, but I think these grips and the screw are the same. I have an N frame 629.

I would suggest getting a set of american (fractional) allen wrenches and using the largest one that fits. The pic isn't very good I assume it's an allen head not a torx. I wouldn't expect it to be tight enough for removal to be an issue.

To Shawn I'll opine that most allen/socket head issues are avoided buy grinding back the wrenchs' tip so it's nice and square edged vs the as delivered rounded sheared end.

It's a TORX #T15. I tried using allen wrenches to remove mine and finally noted the head of the screw is a Torx head. Whoever installed the grips on mine must have been a gorilla, I thought the screw would never unloosen.

edited to add: One of the last operations I do when I clean my guns is take the used oily pad that I just wiped the gun down with and then grab the grip screw and turn it within the oily pad so that it gets a nice coat of oil in the threads and all over the screw.
I also wipe the spring all over with an oily pad while the grip is off.

__________________
Accuracy supercedes Speed

Last edited by ridgewalker; 02-03-2014 at 04:19 PM.
Reason: wipe with oil

My suggestion is either to post a better close-up picture of your actual revolver (so we can give you a definitive answer) or to take (unloaded) it to the nearest local gun shop or if there isn't one near you, to the nearest gun-friendly hardware store (in its box and a bag) and ask for help identifying it. Also, lots of gunsmith screwdriver sets have both those bits in them. Have you checked your set?

One of the cheapest investments n tools I made a couple years ago was a "mini" screwdriver set, that included about 50 or better tips (small sizes) of regular screwdriver, phillips tips, allen tips, torx tips, square drive tips, etc at Harbor Freight. Came in a little fitted plastic case about 5"x7". A handle that extends out to about 6", and a flex shaft and magnifying glass. I don't recall but I doubt if it was over $5.

I have grips held with both Allen (hex) and Torx (spline) heads, which look very similar at first. The OP's picture does not have enough resolution to make this determination. Furthermore Allen wrenches come in both English and metric sizes. If you use the wrong wrench or size, you can strip the head, rendering it useless. (There are tools for that too.)

Even slotted head screws need a tightly fitting, full width screwdriver with parallel sides to avoid marring the slot.

At this point in my career, I probably have two of every wrench made. But if the OP is a newcomer, I suggest wrapping it up (for legal transport) and taking it to a gun shop for expert advice. You could get good advice from a hardware store as well, but hauling out a revolver might have unintended consequences.

[QUOTE=Klein Helmer;137692411][FONT="Courier New"]Because I'm a tender-handed aristocrat who hasn't done a day of manual labor in his life.

A hex head set is what I'm looking for?

Like I said, I seriously know nothing about this stuff.

The screw head in your picture Klein, is a hex socket head machine screw, grade 8 hardness.
Telling you the proper size hex Allen wrench from the picture is near impossible, and further, there are S.A.E. Allen wrenches; and metric Allen wrenches, not interchangeable.

Presumed to be S.A.E. since we seldom see widespread use of metric screws on American gun products.
Gun screws often have oddball thread counts, outside the S.A.E norm, but since confusion here already rains down as though it were Houston, let's leave that aspect of grip screws for a later thread.

Judging solely from the pictured grip, (not yours as noted), it also is not "Torx", as it clearly shows 6, (6 =hex) internal flats; each perpendicular, top to bottom.
You will be well satisfied with a small pack of assorted S.A.E. Allen wrenches from any reputable hardware store, at about six bucks. Use the one that fits inside the screw head the tightest.

I noted your admitted lack of mechanical expertise here Klein, and find it an amusing coincidence that your chosen name of "Klein" is the name of one of the largest and most varied hand tool manufacturers in the world.

And as for this "tender-handed, aristocratic life style" in your declaration; !???! Well I for one would find that as puzzling as do gun screws to others. But I surely welcome your input on the subject.

As to this other matter of taking off your supplied grips and burying them in a land-fill, I cautioned you about that advice. For as seen here many times; in the world of "Smith & Wesson", if you decide to ever sell the thing, the second question asked is, "how much you knocking off the price because the grips are not original" ??....First question of course is: "box and docs with that" ???

Go to Walmart and buy the Gunmaster tool kit. It will have paractally every type of bit that you will encounter. Hex, square, Torx, Phillips, and slotted bits are included. You will find it in sporting goods near gun cleaning supplies. See photos below to help you recognize it. Cost is about $15